Meta’s WhatsApp, one of Hong Kong’s most popular messaging apps, will soon no longer require users to share their phone numbers before they start texting. Starting this week, users can reserve a unique username that will let them text without swapping numbers, for use later this year when the service launches the feature.
Users will need to know a person’s exact username before they can text them for the first time. United States tech giant Meta said on Monday that the new move was a step towards making the app more private, allowing users to join large group chats even if they felt unready to give out their numbers to take part.
“Once we launch usernames, when you message a person or business for the first time, they will no longer see your phone number if you have enabled your username,” it said.
To control who can contact a user on WhatsApp via their username, Meta will introduce an optional username key that others will have to know beforehand.
Content creators or small businesses will have the option to claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp if they prefer to maintain a consistent online presence, Meta said.
WhatsApp currently has 3 billion users globally. Meta said it would notify users when the feature was available in their respective countries.
According to the website for Hong Kong’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data, telephone numbers are considered personal data, along with identity card numbers, names, photos and other information.
In 2024, messaging app Signal introduced a service to keep phone numbers private and allow for the exchange of usernames for messaging.
The office said on Tuesday night that the new update would give users greater control over whether to disclose their phone numbers when messaging a person or business for the first time.
“And the update should serve to enhance privacy protection for users, especially as regards the prevention of scams and spam messages,” it said.
The privacy watchdog said it would refer cases involving possible contraventions of the direct marketing provisions to the police for further investigation and follow-up action.
In 2025, the watchdog received six complaints about direct marketing practices that involved WhatsApp.
